Is there any way to display what the alternator is producing on the Dashboard? Old school trucks had an amp guage, but can't find one on these new trucks.

 

There is not, aftermarket is the way to go here.

 

Or one of these, but they are not too accurate.

 

I'd recommend a ScanGauge, it'll give you voltage readings a lot more that the dash doesn't have.

https://www.scangauge.com/products/scangauge-ii/

 

You need to know your truck uses Battery Management done by the engine computer.
This means the old way of Alternator/ Regulator only is no longer done.
Take a look at a Monitor from Harbor Freight for less that $10 that will offer you most all you need to see what's going on in your charging system.
Look for the wide curved unit >>not the straight Bar type.
It acts very differently than the old systems.
Uses 6 LED lights. 3 for battery state of charge and 3 for Alternator working and when the engine computer tells the Alternator the charge by pulsing it's field winding observed on a Yellow Led, left side.
Plug it in one dash socket and leave it their.
It does not tell you how much or the charge current amount because it is a >> pulsing type<< signal as indication.
An analogue meter won't be any better and would only show a (low average value of the pulse train) that would be misleading you as a low charge rate when it is a normal indication.
If you only want to see the system battery Voltage, then any volt meter will work.
Good luck.

 

Old school alternators only put out 35 - 60 amps. From what I've read, that required a 10 gauge wire, wired in series, under the dash which could be quite hazardous for fire. Newer alternators can output double+ that.

 

That one won't help, it doesn't give alternator current output.


Today, you just mount a CT around the cable to sense current...no need for thick wires.

 

How do you use a CT to read DC current?

 

You should be able to get an ammeter display from an OBD-2 -> Bluetooth adapter and anyone of several engine gauge displays (e.g. Torque). Using Torque, you can put those up on your smartphone, and cycle through a dozen different gauge combinations.

 

I need to remind all that the Battery is PULSE CHARGED in these systems.
Any >>meter<< will not show the correct charge current level in a pulsing system, only the average of the pulse width, the frequency of pulsing and amplitudes of the pulses at any given moment. The Battery accepts these pulses just the same as constant current charging but over a longer time and controlled periods to handle different type of batteries and lengthen battery life, improve available engine power and fuel mileage.
A regular meter will show LOW.
It can be proven by looking at the same information on a good Scanner to see the pulses, their frequency, and amplitude. These signals are the basis of trouble codes for the charging system, otherwise you would not know what the system type of fault is.
An analogue meter will, no matter the type of sampling "SUM up" all three and read low. A mechanical meter movement can't do it any other way.
A voltmeter monitoring the battery voltage will be more informative.
Constant current metering was abandon a long time ago except in the Digital world of present day..
A plug in monitor of the correct design will offer all these parameters and the pulsing signal to tell you what is happening >>but still no current 'levels' for the same reasons explained above.
At least you will have a monitor to tell when there is a problem if you will make the effort to understand.
Your in new times now.

 

Technically not a CT, but here is what I was referring to...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_clamp

 

Or you can just look at the mode 6 data, the truck already has a hall effect sensor on the negative battery terminal. You can see the charge rate on the graph.

 

A Clamp-on will still not read out a meaningful current level on it's analogue meter.
This meter can't accurately show the > pulse duty cycle value <, >the pulse frequency <, > or the amplitude < and combine them for a usable/meaningful reading unless your looking for a fault of no indication or to low an indication from past experience..
The Battery voltage is either up in level or it is not.
That's what you need to be looking at.
For meaningful Current analysis, a Scope or Scanner display is needed to look at the pulse train, their amplitude and how often you see them commanded, to tell anything about charge current. Then refer to the battery voltage level; if the level is not being replaced or up to spec. And if the system is faulty.

 

These trucks are higher tech than me. LoL.

 

I've used the same Edge Monitor in my last 3 Ford Pick-ups. NOT A TUNER It gives you about 25-30 functions you can monitor. I mostly look at it when I'm towing. After each truck I plug it into my main computer at home and have it reprogramed/update forever free.. The only thing not available on the 2018 from the 2015 was the trans temp which I wish I had. I know you can make all the gauges in my truck have #'s above the dials but I'm going to get what ever program to do it. I do not have a lap top. If i knew some one close I'd pay them to do it on my truck.